Submitted by Carol from Charlotte Hall!
The Doghouse is written by Jan Thomas. This book is a very simple story about a cow, mouse, duck, and pig. The illustrations are also very simple but so effective and crucial to telling the story. The animals are happy playing ball, until their ball suddenly rolls into “THE DOGHOUSE.” The doghouse is a very scary place. No one wants to go in to retrieve the ball. What will they do? Well, they decide Cow should go in first because, after all, he is BIG and BRAVE and STRONG. Cow goes in and never comes out. Who will go next? And will any of them come out? Read The Doghouse to find out!
What Can You Do with a Rebozo?
Submitted by county youth coordinator Janis!
What Can You Do with a Rebozo? ¿Que Puedes hacer con un Rebozo? by Carmen Tafolla. What can you use to dress up, play hide and seek, carry a baby, and dance? In this playful celebration of a vibrant culture, a young Mexican American girl explains all the things she can do with a rebozo, a traditional Mexican shawl. The lively rhyme and illustrations celebrate a warm cultural icon that, with a little imagination, can be used in many different ways. With imagination you can do almost anything with the rebozo! This bilingual book is a real gem!
Leonardo the Terrible Monster
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
Your pal Mo Willems presents Leonardo the Terrible Monster, a fantastic tale of a truly terrible monster. However, Leonardo isn’t terrible in the traditional sense–he doesn’t strike terror into anyone actually. He’s more terrible in the way it might mean “lousy.” He’s pretty ashamed of himself, for the fact he isn’t big, or weird, or scary. He’s doesn’t have 1,642 teeth. He’s actually kind of cute. But Leo has a plan: “He would find the most scaredy-cat kid in the whole world… and scare the tuna salad out of him!” After thorough research, Leonardo pinpoints his victim–a little boy named Sam, seemingly always on the verge of tears. But he’s not scared of Leonardo either! Perhaps Leonardo might be a terrible monster, but he could be a wonderful friend to Sam.
Banjo Granny
Submitted by Chad from Charlotte Hall!
Banjo Granny by Sarah Martin Busse and Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Barry Root. This book is dedicated to “grannies everywhere…and to grandbabies everywhere.” It is a sort of tall tale. Granny, our banjo pickin’ hero, encounters a number of obstacles on her way to visit her grandson, Owen (who loves bluegrass music). These obstacles are in the form of natural barriers, such as a river, a desert, and a mountain. Granny overcomes them with the aid of her banjo and, of course, her love for her grandson. The river, desert, and mountain are personified as Granny invites them to listen to the song of her grandson “who goes wiggly, jiggly, all-around giggly, and tip over tumble for bluegrass music.” We catch glimpses of Owen when visiting birds inform him of the progress of his granny. When Granny and Owen are united in person, they sing “wop-a-doosy, lap-a-daisy doo!” The book includes lyrics and music to “Owen’s Song,” in the bluegrass style.
The Little House
Submitted by Allana from Leonardtown!
The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. Beautifully illustrated in its simplicity. The Little House sits on a hill surrounded by trees and flowers and all of nature’s splendor in the countryside. Through the seasons you see the little house in the varying light and settings. The little house is content but becomes lonely as the family spend less time there. Gradually, the surroundings change, as technology takes hold. Buildings go up, trams or trains start coming and going, pretty soon it’s the hustle and bustle of a large town or small city. The little house seems to shrink and decline more and more, and becomes really lonely and sad as the owners have forsaken their former home. Finally the little house is “rescued” by a descendant of the family and carried back to the countryside. Even though it’s a different hill in a new location, the little house looks brighter and happier, and once again enjoys the loving care of a family in the beautiful countryside.
Falling for Rapunzel
Submitted by Sue C. from Leonardtown!
Falling For Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox and illustrated by Lydia Monks. When a Prince spies Rapunzel high in a tower he thinks he can rescue this girl of his dreams the traditional way. But Rapunzel isn’t traditional, and she mishears him, and throws down everything but what the prince asks for, until the end. Rapunzel finally does throw down something that makes the prince happy. “I’m glad I finally heard him right!” thinks Rapunzel at the surprise ending to this funny tale of happily ever after.